Catering students at Montezuma-Cortez High School will be taking what they’ve learned in the classroom and feeding it to the public at the 17th annual Taste of the Seasons on Thursday, Dec. 3.

M-CHS Family and Consumer Sciences instructor Kanto McPherson said that for the first time, the “Panther Chefs” – McPherson’s Advanced Catering II students – will be providing three different appetizers to attendees.

The hands-on learning experience will allow her students to strengthen industry-specific skill sets like event and menu planning, unit price shopping, culinary skills, food presentation, food safe handling, kitchen sanitation, accounting and customer service, she said.

McPherson says that all her 16 advanced catering II students will help prepare appetizers in the commercial kitchen built into the classroom at M-CHS, and about half will help transport, set up, work the booth and help clear the event afterward.

“My students have already brainstormed, gathered recipes, experimented, taste-tested and had teacher and principal input to decide which appetizers they will prepare for the event. A few of the students will also be the representatives at the booth,” said McPherson.

McPherson says the real-world experience is invaluable for her students, many of whom desire to pursue a career in the culinary industry.

“Some of my students are serious about becoming a professional chef. This is a practical experience for them to put under their belt and also be able to receive some constructive criticism,” said McPherson. “I’ve explained from the beginning of the year that the catering and restaurant world demands ‘after business’ hours such as evening and weekends, so my students knew what to expect. It will also be nice for the community to be able to interact with “The Panther Chefs” at the event and ask them questions about their new classroom at the new M-CHS.”

The 17th annual Taste of the Seasons event is slated for Dec. 3 at Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery in Dolores, 26650 County Road P. Wine and food will be served at 5 p.m.

If you go

The 17th annual Taste of the Seasons event is scheduled for Dec. 3 at Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery in Dolores.

Where: 26650 County Road P, Dolores.

Servings: Wine and food served at 5 p.m.

Tickets: $35 per person, at Four Seasons or United Way.

Info: 970-565-8274